Elounda, Coastal resort town in Crete, Greece.
Elounda stretches along the northern coast of Crete and comprises seven distinct villages with Schisma at its center, overlooking Mirabello Bay. The settlement extends across this coastal zone with several smaller communities that together form a connected waterfront region.
The submerged ruins of the ancient city Olous lie beneath the waters of Elounda Bay and date from the Byzantine period. Two three-aisled basilicas from this era remain visible underwater.
The settlement gained international recognition through its portrayal in the 1964 Disney film The Moon-Spinners and the television adaptation of Victoria Hislop's novel. These productions have made it a recognized filming location for cinema enthusiasts.
The area is accessible by bus, with regular services connecting to the nearby town of Agios Nikolaos and to Plaka, offering visitors transport options throughout the day. The buses also link the various villages together.
Historically, the protected waters of Elounda Bay served as a landing site for Imperial Airways flying boats on their long-distance routes across the Mediterranean. This flight connection demonstrated the location's strategic value for international air travel at that time.
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